“He’s my half-brother.”
Her body jerks in my arms as her glassy eyes widen.“What?”
“My father raped his mom when she was seventeen and Frankie was a result of that.He was a twin, but according to what Cypher and his contact could dig up, the twin was stillborn.”
“That’s why,” she whispers, something working behind her eyes.
“That’s why what?”
“Why I was so drawn to him in the beginning.I could never figure it out, but there were so many times that he reminded me of you.I latched onto those and dived in head first without paying attention to the red flags.There were so many times that they’d show up, but then he’d do something so sweet, so loving, that I would make excuses.It didn’t get bad until the day you showed up outside of our house.That’s when the flags began flying so high that I had no choice but to acknowledge them.Do you know how hard it is to leave a situation like that?One where you’re never safe, never sure what’s going to set them off?People like Frankie ...all it takes is one little thing and there’s a chance you’re not waking up the next morning.It’s not as easy as people try to act as it is.You always hear them asking ‘why didn’t they just leave’ without understanding the kind of repercussions justtryingcould have.It’s more thanjust leaving.It’s an entire escape plan that has no holes.It’s ensuring your kids will be safe, that you’ll be safe.It’s glancing over your shoulder every second of every day to ensure you’re not being followed.Paranoia becomes a close companion, and time becomes your best friend.If it was as easy as just leaving, we would’ve been gone five years ago.”
“I don’t think I’ve told you this yet, but I’m so goddamn proud of you.You fought for something better for yourself and our kids.Here you stand.Tall and strong after facing a demon who would have brought many to their end.You chose yourself and by doing that, you chose our kids.Because here’s the thing, Birdie.You have to come first.Otherwise, who are we without you?You’re the life force behind us all.Every day, you have to wake up and choose yourself.Only then can you find the strength to choose anyone else.”
Her eyes search mine for the longest time.Both of us falling into the depths of the other as our broken pieces, once again, find solace.
“I love you,” she whispers.
I’m not going to cry like a fucking baby.
I’m not, goddammit.
“Love you too, little mama,” I choke out, burying my face in her throat.
Seven fucking years.
I’ve waited for seven years to hear those words again.
And they’re just as beautiful as the first time she ever fucking said them to me.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
ThedayafterItook Birdie and the kids back to the house, I asked her if she’d like to plan a club cookout.It’s been so fucking long since we’ve had one and with all the shit that’s been going on around us lately, we need something peaceful.Something that gives us some time to fucking breathe before having to dive back into the chaos of Frankie’s bullshit.
She was so damn excited that I wanted to put that look of happiness on her face every day.
Here it is a week later, and she’s got this place bumping with music, beer, delicious fucking food, and our family.
Kids run around with water guns, laughter bright on their face as they pelt each other with streams of water.The sneaky little shits make sure to get all of us with those damn weapons, too.
Legend’s laugh bursts from his chest when he sprays me straight in the face before running off.He assumes I’m going to let him get away with a sneak attack.
Does he not know who his father is?
With a wicked smile, I head to the water hose.
“Apollonos Dugan Brannigan, what in the world do you think you’re going to do?”Birdie asks, her hands on her curvy-as-fuck hips.
Well, I was going to get my son with the water hose, but I found a much more delicious target.
I turn on the spigot and lift the hose, crimping it so no water comes out yet.Then I turn to her.
She must see it on my face because her eyes widen as she shakes her head, backing away with a laugh.“Don’t you dare, Pope.”
Birdie lets out a squeal when I release the crimp from the hose and aim it at her.Everyone stops to watch as she runs through the arch of water straight at me.
Her laughter is the most beautiful damn sound in the world.
“You’re going to pay for that,” she says through gasps, reaching out to grab hold of the hose.
